Thursday, November 1, 2012

Haunting Memories

Being an avid paranormal lover and
obsessed with all aspects of the supernatural, I always enjoy the build up to
Halloween; the decorating, costumes, classic occult horrors, and of course,
baking a ton of gory sweets, all to get the spine chilling thrills of the
season going. I love the leaves changing color, the air growing cold, sweater
weather and hot cocoa along with carving Jack-o-lanterns. This is when I’m in
my happy place, (okay, this and of course writing.

Enjoying every moment leading up to
it, having that final Halloween jaunt for trick or treating with the kids, to
snuggling up and watching a movie with popcorn is so fantastic, but then…the
day after comes. November 1, I find myself sad and a little disappointed it’s
all over again for another year.This year, I decided I wanted to do
something different with my kids. As a family, we love being creative and
unique. To get into the spirit of the season, I decided, instead of spending
all the would-be wasted money on cheap plastic decorations that wither after a
few weeks just to get thrown out, to invest in materials to build our own
family model haunted house.

It was an epic choice, that has kept
us busy for days on end, and yes, the pocket book grows thin, but I just love
the concept of creating this heirloom that will be a memorable keepsake for our
children in the years to come. Every year, we plan to add a little more detail,
and a few more memories, of our time together. So far, the walls are constructed,
the furniture, windows, doors, window boxes, to even lights (battery operated.)
Home made shutters and siding, a deck and weathered windows and wallpaper is
just a start. I don’t have a completed photo to share, but here are a few of
our work in progress:

To protest the end of All Hallows Eve,
I’m pleased to share my spooky but steamy romance of ghosts and passion in Savannah’sGhost Tale.

Blurb:

Savannah Teale has an
obsession with the supernatural—to disprove it. An unorthodox Ghost Hunter with
a dark secret, she doesn’t believe in life after death. Not anymore. Being
romantically challenged since the traumatic death of her fiancé, she has no
interest in dating, but her sister’s loving interference has led her to accept
a date for a 1Night Stand.

Cameron Evans is one of Savannah’s most handsome, charismatic, and sexy
bachelors. He’s an exceptionally gifted tour guide, and a psychic, but hasn’t
learned how to turn off his gifts. Since his conversations with the dead are a
turn-off for most women—to put it mildly—Cameron has turned to Madame Eve to
find a woman who can accept him for himself and all he has to give.

They may be a great match—if a certain, lingering ghost would just step out of
the picture.

***

Excerpt:

What
the hell is going on? A
shadow flashed across the stone threshold, startling her. Her heart raced and
she stumbled down the steps, her eyes flitting frantically back and forth,
scanning for movement but finding none. Her clumsy feet tangling, she stumbled
over a flat stone and toppled backward.

A
sudden heat surrounded her and she paused in mid-fall, suspended over the dark
pit of an open grave. Breathless and terror-stricken, it took her a moment to
realize the warmth was strong arms wrapped around her. Back on her feet, she
spun around to find Cameron, the tour guide, watching her with an amused
expression.

“Are
you okay?” He gripped her shaking shoulders.

“I’m
fine, I just saw—I tripped.” Vannah tried to catch her breath, her mind racing
with madness.

“You
should watch where you’re stepping in a cemetery.”

“I
didn’t expect—I didn’t realize they still buried people here.”

“You
know, it’s frowned upon to be raiding graves at night around these parts.”

“I
wasn’t raiding anything.” She jerked out of his hold and grabbed her bag from
the ground, jamming her detector back inside. I’m glad none of my equipment
ended up in that grave. She yanked her twisted camisole top and shorts back
into place.

“What
did you see?” His penetrating gaze sent a current through her chest.

“Nothing,
I didn’t—there’s nothing to see, let’s go.”

“Whoa,
whoa, hang on. Something scared you. Tell me what you saw.”

If
she wasn’t throbbing with terror right now, she might have actually swooned
under his gaze. “Are you deaf? I said I didn’t see anything.” She turned to
walk away.

“Who
is Mark?”

With a
white hot jolt, her stomach bottomed out and her feet froze to the ground.“Who
is Mark and why can’t he breathe?”

***

Tell me what haunting traditions
excite you in the fall season? Does your obsession with ghosts and ghouls fade
after October 31st? Or is there a part of you that just can’t get
enough of spooky tales and things that go bump in the night? For me, I can
never get enough; I suppose that’s why I’m drawn most into writing paranormal
and urban fantasy. I need my fix of supernatural beings and mind blowing events
to keep me happy.

I would love to go to New Orleans and go on one of their ghost tours.I feel that safety in numbers is the way to go. I never watch creepy shows when I am be myself. That is a beautiful cover on the book. annpa@gmail.com

@Mel, I love those books, although they tend to be very thought provoking,lol *note to self, never read true haunting stories when sitting, alone, at night, when everyone is asleep, lol

I'm always intrigued with the history of towns, and buildings that isn't common knowledge.

@Ann, I would be so excited to tour New Orleans! I've gone on ghost tours in Ottawa Canada, and Philadelphia, it was fantastic, I adored the old buildings, the architecture and the spine tingling stories of days gone by!

Thank you ladies for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. The winner for this blog is......drum roll....

Susan W. !!! I will contact you directly to arrange to get your prize to you! Congratulations~~